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I have a long-term health condition that limits my ability to work. I rely on income support and need regular medical appointments. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. What do parties propose about supported employment and flexible work for people with health conditions?
New Zealand 2026 election: supported employment and flexible work
If a long-term health condition limits how much you can work, there are several distinct policy issues worth comparing before the 2026 New Zealand general election: whether you can receive support to find and keep suitable work, how your benefit changes if you work part-time, whether employers can accommodate medical appointments and fluctuating health, and what happens if you cannot work consistently.
These issues are connected, but they are not the same. A party might favour employment programmes while also proposing stricter benefit obligations, for example. It is worth looking at both the employment support itself and the financial security you would have if your health prevented you from working more.
What the parties are proposing
The following comparison covers the main parties discussed in disability-policy reporting ahead of the election. It reflects information available as of 26 October 2026. The election is scheduled for 7 November 2026, so policies and announcements may still change. Party policies, simplified: EmploymentHow do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?
| Party | Supported employment and workplace flexibility |
|---|---|
| Labour | Proposes systemic changes to help disabled people enter open employment. It also proposes defining reasonable accommodation in the Human Rights Act and treating refusal to provide it as discrimination. It would end annual benefit renewals for people with verified permanent disabilities. Disability |
| Green Party | Proposes making the public service a leader in disability-responsive employment, with resources and training to meet access needs and counter ableism. It supports abolishing the minimum-wage exemption for disabled workers. Party policies, simplified: EmploymentManifesto 2026 |
| National Party | Says it will continue supporting employment strategies under the New Zealand Disability Strategy, including meaningful work and careers for disabled people. Its wider welfare policy emphasises employment programmes and stronger work expectations for some benefit recipients. Party policies, simplified: EmploymentA firm, fair and affordable welfare system |
| ACT New Zealand | Has described its approach as removing employment barriers, encouraging flexible workplaces and tailoring support to individual circumstances. However, in its response to the disability-employment questions, it did not provide specific policies. Its separate disability approach includes tighter medical certification for health-related benefits. Party policies, simplified: EmploymentHow do the different parties fare on disability issues this election? |
| Te Pāti Māori | Proposes resourcing the Enabling Good Lives approach to support meaningful employment pathways for disabled whānau. It also supports abolishing the minimum-wage exemption for disabled workers and raising the minimum wage to the living wage. Party policies, simplified: Employment |
| New Zealand First | Says it prioritises economic independence and meaningful employment for disabled people, but did not provide specific current or future employment policies in response to the disability-employment questions. It has separately proposed annual minimum-wage increases for the next three years. Party policies, simplified: EmploymentOur Policy |
| The Opportunities Party (TOP) | Did not respond to the employment questions. It has separately supported abolishing the minimum-wage exemption for disabled workers and has proposed a universal citizen's income alongside a disability allowance. Party policies, simplified: EmploymentHow do the different parties fare on disability issues this election? |
Important distinction: These are not seven equally detailed employment plans. Some parties have made specific commitments, while others have given broad statements or have not provided detailed answers. A lack of a published proposal does not necessarily mean a party opposes a measure. Party policies, simplified: EmploymentHow do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?
What matters most for your situation
Because you rely on income support and need regular medical appointments, I would look beyond general promises to create jobs. Four practical questions may help you compare the policies.
1. Can you work around your health needs?
Look for commitments on:
- Flexible start and finish times, reduced hours and gradual returns to work.
- Remote or hybrid work where the job permits it.
- Time off for medical appointments and treatment.
- Adjustments when symptoms fluctuate or you have a flare-up.
Labour's proposed reasonable-accommodation changes are directly relevant to workplace adjustments. ACT has spoken about flexible workplaces, but the employment response did not specify what arrangements it would introduce. The other parties' statements summarised above do not establish a detailed guarantee of flexible hours or medical-appointment flexibility. Party policies, simplified: EmploymentDisability
2. Would you get practical help to find and keep a job?
Ask whether a party would fund or expand:
- Individual employment coaching and ongoing support after you start work.
- Help for employers to make workplace adjustments.
- Job and Training Support Funds, including eligibility and funding levels.
- Supported employment that recognises your actual capacity rather than assuming you can work standard full-time hours.
Labour's proposal for systemic change towards open employment, the Greens' disability-responsive public-service employment and Te Pāti Māori's support for Enabling Good Lives point to different approaches. However, the published employment responses do not establish a comparable, detailed funding commitment from all three. Party policies, simplified: EmploymentDisability
3. Could working part-time leave you worse off financially?
This is especially important if you can work some weeks but not others. Check each party's proposals for:
- How much benefit income you can retain as your earnings increase.
- Whether medical and disability-related costs remain covered when you work.
- Whether a short period of work affects your eligibility for ongoing support.
- Whether benefit reviews take account of permanent conditions and fluctuating capacity.
Labour specifically proposes ending annual benefit renewals for people with verified permanent disabilities. National's published welfare policy, by contrast, proposes reduced payments from April 2028 for people who have received Jobseeker for two of the previous three years; the policy needs to be considered in light of which benefit and obligations apply to a particular person. DisabilityA firm, fair and affordable welfare system
Do not assume that a proposal concerning Jobseeker applies in the same way to the Supported Living Payment. Your current benefit type matters.
4. Would you have enough income if you cannot work?
The broader disability-support and income policies also matter:
- The Greens have proposed more accessible, timely income support to cover disability-related living and medical costs. How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?Manifesto 2026
- TOP has proposed a citizen's income of up to $370 a week, alongside a disability allowance and needs-based top-ups. This would replace existing benefits, including the Supported Living Payment, so the proposed transition and total support would need careful examination. How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?
- Labour proposes stronger disability rights and a rights-based framework for disability support services. Disability
Where to verify the details
These resources provide further information as you assess the parties' commitments:
- The D*List — 2026 employment-policy comparison
- Disabled Persons Assembly NZ — 2026 disability election scorecard
- Labour — disability policy
- Green Party — 2026 manifesto
- National — welfare policy
The Disabled Persons Assembly scorecard identifies questions about Job and Training Support Funds, benefit penalties for disabled people in relationships, disability rights and meaningful participation in policy decisions. These are useful areas to check when the parties' responses are available. Disability Scorecard for 2026 General Election » Disabled Persons Assembly NZ
A final consideration
You do not have to choose between being supported to work and being supported when you cannot work. A useful way to assess each party is to ask whether its policies would let you work within your health limits without putting your essential income, treatment or access to support at risk.
If you want to narrow the comparison, one detail would help: which income support do you currently receive — the Supported Living Payment, Jobseeker Support with a health condition or disability, or another payment? The relevant policy differences can vary considerably depending on that.
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Captured 26 October 2026 · shown as ChatGPT gave it, not a verified account